According to the theory that the more human-like a Vasto Lorde becomes after releasing, the stronger they are — Stark is undoubtedly the strongest of them all!
Even Ulquiorra, with his Resurrección Segunda Etapa, couldn't compare to Stark's level of "humanity" in his Resurrección form.
Baraggan, Harribel, Ulquiorra, even Nel in her first-stage Resurrección — all of them still retained various Hollow elements. Some didn't even resemble humans at all.
But Stark? Stark looked no different from a regular human!
By that measure alone, Stark could be seen as infinitely close to the absolute apex of all Arrancar.
And unlike Szayelaporro, another Vasto Lorde who split his soul and thus fell to a lower classification, Stark split his own soul yet still retained his power and status as the Primera Espada.
He was the true pinnacle of Hollow-based combat power!
Or rather, he was the ultimate symbol of what it meant to embody Hollow strength.
After all, Aizen Sōsuke wasn't truly of Hueco Mundo. And Ichigo's powers were too chaotic and hybridized to count as either side. Stark stood alone.
However, even in his released form, Stark wasn't yet at full power.
Though Lilynette had transformed into a gun, she still retained her own consciousness.
Watching Stark bicker with his own weapon, Kyōraku Shunsui could only shake his head. This opponent really made it hard to feel any sense of urgency in battle…
But a fight is still a fight.
Shunsui tossed aside his straw hat and, while Stark and Lilynette were still distracted, launched a surprise attack!
Totally dishonorable!
Unfortunately, not very effective.
Stark used Sonído and instantly widened the distance.
But Shunsui, the old schemer, had already anticipated that a simple ambush wouldn't work. So he immediately activated the ability of his Zanpakutō!
"Bushōgoma!"
Two blades spun in a whirlwind and locked Stark in place!
But Stark's spiritual pressure alone was enough to completely negate Bushōgoma.
Then Shunsui rose into the air and shouted, "Takaoni!"
Yet before he could unleash Katen Kyōkotsu's power, Stark casually raised his right hand and fired a massive blue Cero from his pistol!
Shunsui reacted quickly with a flash step to dodge, but Stark's left hand had already been aimed precisely at Shunsui's landing point!
He didn't press the attack, though. That one unexpected hit was enough to injure Shunsui's left arm.
Shunsui looked surprised. "Such powerful spiritual pressure, such fast reflexes… and that gun of yours can fire Cero, right?"
Stark nodded. "That's right."
"So," Shunsui said thoughtfully, "can it fire other things too?"
"Nope," Stark replied simply.
Shunsui chuckled. "You really are a terrible liar."
As they exchanged words, Stark once again fired at Shunsui.
Each shot was rapid and powerful — even one hit would be dangerous. No matter how Shunsui dodged, Stark remained stationary, calmly firing dual Ceros like a barrage of artillery.
After watching his enemy's movement for a while, Stark even began predicting Shunsui's landing zones, firing pre-aimed shots.
Sure enough, one of the preemptive Ceros hit its mark.
But Shunsui, surprised as he was, raised his sword and sliced through the Cero with ease!
Seeing this, Stark raised an eyebrow. Even though that had only been a normal Cero, few in Hueco Mundo could slice one so casually.
Moreover, Shunsui had figured something out.
Stark's right-hand gun fired stronger Ceros, but required reloading between shots. His left-hand gun had lower output but could fire continuously.
With that in mind, Shunsui devised a plan.
"Bushōgoma!"
He activated his restrictive ability again, aiming to suppress Stark's stronger right-hand gun.
As soon as he saw the right-hand weapon fire, Shunsui flash stepped beside Stark to attack!
But just as he closed in, Stark calmly raised his right-hand gun again!
Shunsui's eyes widened in shock and quickly flash stepped away.
If it had been any other Shinigami, they might've been killed on the spot!
Stark may seem honest, but he was no fool. This was a trap — and Shunsui walked right into it.
"Who told you my right-hand gun can't fire consecutively?" Stark said coolly.
"Now… show me your Bankai."
But Shunsui still didn't release it. At this distance, in this situation, his Bankai would be as likely to affect allies as enemies.
Right now, Stark was the only active Espada. If he released his Bankai, it might help Stark more than anyone else!
"Even though your dual-wielding tactics are tricky," Shunsui said, "they're still just basic Ceros. You're not strong enough yet to force out my Bankai."
True to his sly nature, Shunsui wasn't easy to goad.
But at that moment, Stark's spiritual pressure surged.
"Infinite Ammo Cero."
He raised both guns and began unleashing a relentless barrage of Ceros like a storm!
Shunsui had no choice but to flee. He couldn't possibly withstand a barrage of that density.
Ichigo: "Who said that? Isn't it just one slash?"
Against an enemy like Stark, who could fire endlessly and without significant spiritual strain, Shunsui was finally on the verge of using Bankai.
But just then—
"Twin Fish Net!"
Ukitake Jūshirō's voice rang out!
He had noticed Shunsui about to activate Bankai and immediately stepped in.
Having released his Zanpakutō, Ukitake flash stepped to Shunsui's side and absorbed the incoming Ceros — all ten shots — with ease.
"Ukitake… why?" Shunsui asked.
He knew Ukitake was worried about him using Bankai, but this two-on-one situation didn't sit right with Shunsui.
Ukitake smiled slyly. "But he's technically two people. So, I'm not breaking any rules."
Then, more seriously, he added, "Besides, your Bankai isn't suited for an open battlefield."
Hearing this, Shunsui begrudgingly accepted the tag-team.
Stark, meanwhile, grew curious. "What is his Zanpakutō? And why can he fire Ceros?"
To find out, Stark launched two more Ceros.
Ukitake didn't flinch — and returned them both with perfect reflection!
Stark dodged calmly but was clearly impressed.
He appeared behind Ukitake in a flash.
"Your left-hand sword absorbs enemy attacks, and your right-hand sword fires them back. The two are connected by five talismans between them, right?"
Ukitake nodded.
His ability was truly broken — energy-based attacks like Ceros and Kidō were effectively useless against him!
And unlike Nel's Cero Doble, Ukitake's wasn't limited to Hollows.
"Not just Cero," Ukitake said plainly. "Anything made of energy or spiritual power, I can absorb and reflect."
Shunsui sighed. "Who the hell explains their entire ability mid-fight?"
Right, Mr. Stark?
But after understanding Ukitake's power, Stark simply returned to his calm expression. He didn't seem overly concerned.
"Your ability has a limit, right? If I fire 1,000 Ceros at once, can you reflect them all?"
As he raised his gun to find out, Shunsui suddenly reappeared behind him with a surprise attack!
But Stark ducked just in time.
He lost his chance to test Ukitake's power — but theoretically, with the Soul King's right arm, Ukitake might be able to reflect any amount.
Only something above the Soul King's limit might get through.
Stark, annoyed by the interruption, raised his guns and unleashed a full-circle, omnidirectional barrage of blue Ceros!
He even left an intentional opening to bait Shunsui.
Sure enough, Shunsui took it.
But just as Stark fired, Ukitake appeared and reflected the Cero back at him!
Even so, Stark easily dodged again — unscathed despite being caught between two of Soul Society's strongest captains.
He truly was the most powerful combatant in Hueco Mundo.
His strength was comparable to Yamamoto Genryūsai in Shikai!
But just as the battle reached a deadlock — a massive Garganta opened in the sky!
From it emerged a massive Arrancar — Wonderweiss!
Once a secret weapon created by Aizen Sōsuke, he had helped Aizen escape from Soul Society to Hueco Mundo.
Now in the World of the Living, Wonderweiss appeared behind Ukitake with a speed even he couldn't react to!
His hand pierced straight through Ukitake's body!
Seeing his closest friend fall, Shunsui roared in fury and swung Katen Kyōkotsu at Wonderweiss!
But Wonderweiss wasn't an ordinary opponent.
A point-blank Cero blasted Shunsui away!
Two of Yamamoto's finest disciples — both defeated.
Wonderweiss turned to the distance, letting out a cry like a baby — an ultrasonic shockwave!
It shattered Hitsugaya Tōshirō's Hyōten Hyakkasō and incinerated the flames of Suì-Fēng's Bankai.
In an instant, both Harribel and Baraggan reappeared — completely unharmed — before the remaining Shinigami.
Wonderweiss let out another howl.
And then…
Furō roared to life!
(End of Chapter)
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